Blindstitch sewing-machine.



T- I. HAYES. auuosmcflsawmc mcums.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 5' 9P5. 1 2831509. Patented Nov; 5,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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WiTnesses. Inventor. f. /Mg2; M Homqs d. Hayes.

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T. J. HAYES.

BLINDSHT CH SEWING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT; 5. 19M.

1,283,509. Patented N0". 5, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- WiTnesses. |nventor.

/M 75056? Thomas J. Hayes, g I emdw frmw mums runs :11. rmn'o-urna. wumunnu. n. c.

' UNITED srarns PATENT? onrrcn THOMAS J. HAYES, or RosLnvDA E; MASSACHUSETTS, assreivon To THE Aaia'n'rrnn FELIZING Macrame COMPANY, ornosron; MASSACHUSETTS, 'A CORPORATION or MAINE.

Application filed September 5, 1914. SeriaINo. 860,35;

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, THOMAS J. Hams, a citizen of'the United'States, and resident of Roslindale, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Blindstitch Sewing-Machines, of which'the following description, in-co'nnect-ion with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like Characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to improvements in blind stitch sewing machinesfor felling a superposed layer of fabric upon a base layer of material and the principal object of the invention is to provide a machine capable of handling two threads which will produce a seam closelyresembling handfelling and in which both threads will be substantially concealed by the edge of the superposed fabric.

Another object of the invention is toproride means for directing the edge portion of the superposed layer beneath the presser foot in such a manner that it will be guided in a plane slightly 'inclined'to the plane of the upper. surface of t-hebase layer and will be so presented to the needle as to avoid crimping or wrinkling of the edge by the formation of the stitches therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for maintaining a fixed relation between the upper surface of the superposed layer and the path of the needle whereby the points of emergence of the needle from the superposed fabric will be maintained in a uniform plane irrespective of differences in thickness of the superposed layer as by the presence of a cross seam thereby insuring regularity in appearance of the stitches.

Other objects of the invention and the nature thereof will more fully'appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out inthe an nexed claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a sewing machine embodying a preferred form of my invention,

Fig.2 is a plan view of a preferred form of presser foot embodying my invention,-

Fig, 3 is a vertical sectional view on lines 3 8 Fig. 2, looking in the directionof the arrow aa,

- Specification of Letters Patent BLINDSTITCH' SEWING MACHlINE.

Patented Nov. 5,1918.

F ig.-4- is a similar view on line 2 looking in the direction of the arrow 19-1) Fig. 5 is an underside plan view or the said presser footy V Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the presser foot; 1 Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the s'amey' Fig. 8 is a plan view of the presser foot aforesaid showing the needle engaging the superimposed layer;

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the needle engaging the'base layer of the fabric;

F ig. 10 is an'exagger'at'ed vertical sectional view inthe verticalpl'ane'of the aXis of oscillation'of the needle as indicated by line Fig. 8 and shows the relation of the needle guide'and needle to the superimposed layer, and I i Fig; lfl is a similar sectionalview showing the relation of the superimposed layer, the needle guide an'dthe bender with the needle thrust through the bent-up portion of the base'layer. v

In the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein the objects aforesaid are accomplished throughthe medium of a curved osclllating needle preferably adapted to oscillatealternately in parallel planes incline'dto thevertical plane, of the line of feed cotiperating with the usual complementary stitch forming mechanism an'dwith a specially formed presser foot which will hereinafter be more fully described; The usualfeeding mechanism and bender mechanism for thrusting a portion of the base layer into the pathof the needle may be provided to handle the fabric. 7 7

As illustrated hereinthe sewing machine maycomprisethe usual base plate 1, having a standard 2, an arm, not" shown, terminatingin the usual head 3, which supports and incloses the mechanism for actuating the needle and the complementary stitch-forming:mechanism. V r

The'curved oscillating needle lpreferably is pivotally supported upon. an inclined shaft5 so that the needle oscillates in aplane inclined to thevertical plane of the line'of feed, the shaft 5 being carried by a reciprocating or oscillating member 6 which is adapted to shogthe' needle in such' a manner that it will penetrate'alternately' the superimposed layer and the base layer of the fabric. The complementary stitch-forming mechanism may comprise a rotary hook 7 adapted to receive the usual bobbin, the hook being rotated through a train of gears S and 9 suitably journaled in a depending hook bracket 10 and driven through a counter-shaft 11 connected by suitable gearing with the main driving shaft of the machine. The fabric is supported upon a work plate 12 yield-ably supported from a bracket 13 depending from a bed plate 1, said work plate being pressed upwardly by a spring 14 against the under face of a presser foot 15, which is rigidly secured to the depending end of the sewing machine head Any suitable feeding mechanism may be employed for advancing the fabric. As illus trated herein both an upper and a lower feed is employed, the lower feed 16 being actuated through suitable connections beneath the bed plate of the machine, and the upper feed dog 17 being supported upon a vertically reciprocating and laterally oscillating arm 18 suitably actuated from the main shaft of the machine. The lower or base layer of fabric may be presented to the needle by the usual bender 19, which is reciprocated through the work plate upon every second oscillation of the needle by means of suitable mechanism driven from a shaft located beneath the bed plate. Inasmuch as the particular forms of feeding and bender mechanisms are not essential to the present invention further description of them will be omitted.

The essence of the invention resides in the employment of a curved oscillating needle cooperating with a specially formed presscr foot and guide which is adapted to direct and control the superimposed layer so that the needle will enter the lower surface thereof at a point well back from the edge and will emerge from the superimposed layer at a fixed distance from the upper sur face and from the edge of said superimposed layer. Another feature of the invention resides in so positioning the presser foot in respect to the oscillating needle and the bender that the needle will enter the superimposed layer well beyond the vertical plane of the axis of the needle and upon the alternate stroke will enter the base layer in advance of the point at which it penetrates the superimposed layer so that upon the succeeding stroke the point of penetration of the superimposed layer will be substantially opposite to the point at which the needle penetrated the base layer whereby two substanti ally parallel loops of needle thread will be laid, one in the superimposed layer and the other in the base layer and the means concatenating the loops of needle thread will be in lines substantially normal to the edge of the superimposed layer.

The preferred. form of presser foot illustrated herein comprises a heel portion 20 having lateral. wings 21 22. of relatively greater thickness provided with screw threaded apertures 23, adapted to receive screws passing through suitable brackets depending from the sewing machine head 3, and a toe portion 2% having a rearwardly extending needle guide 25 forming with the heel portion the usual throat opening 26. The needle guide may be made- ;in a separate section and may be attached to the toe portion Ql by screws 27. The needle guide desirably is provided with an edge guide 28 which may be secured to the needle guide 25 by screw said edge guide being provided with a vertical flange 30 for directing the edge of the superimposed fabric.

The needle guide 25 desirably is inclined downwardly so that it presses firmly upon the base layer and condenses the material thereof as the fail ic approaches the stitching point. The top of the guide is cut away to form a guiding surface for the needle eX tending well down toward the plane of the upper surface of the base layer and preferably is provided at its edge with a lip 31 against which the needle may rest in its penetrating stroke in the superimposed layer, and also with a central rib adapted to engage and guide the needle during its penet 'ating stroke into the base layer.

The under surface of the heel portion which rests upon the su eriniposed fabric desirably is offset or cut away to proyide a surface parallel to the plane of the bot tom race 3& of the presser foot but a dis tance above said plane substantially equal to the thickness of the superimposed layer. The terminal edge 35 of the needle guiding surface preferably lies substzuitially beneath the lowest point of the are of oscillation of the needle and as nearly as possible in the plane of the under surface 33 of the heel and presser foot which rests upon the superimposed fabric, and the wall 36 which connects the plane with the plane 3i of the bottom of the presser foot desirably is in direct alinement with the outer face of the edge guide 30 so that the edge of the superimposed layer will be positirely guided both forward and aft of the points of engagement and emergence of the needle, thereby positioning positively the edge of the superimposed fabric in relation to the path of the oscillating needle.

In blind stitching machines heretofore constructed the edge of the superimposed layer has been bent upwardly to present the under surface thereof to the needle and the thrusting of the needle through the bent up edge of the superimposed layer has a tend ency to force the material forward duringthe penetrating stroke of the needle so that when the stitch is set the edge of the superimposed fabric is somewhat wrinkled. In the improved presser foot disclosed herein the superimposed layeris not bent abruptly but is guided in a plane slightly inclined tothe plane ofthe work support or the plane of the upper surface of the base layer, and the needle is guided beneath and beyond 'we edge of the superimposed layer a .suflicient distance to enable it to penetrate the superimposed layer from beneath and preferably to emerge therefrom at points at or under the edge thereof.

In order that the needle may be caused to emerge from the superimposed layer at a fixed distance from the upper surface and from the edge of said layer, irrespective of the thickness of thegoods, or cross seams therein, I have provided a novel surface guide for the superimposed layer which, )referabl is a flan 'e 37 inclined u )wardlV from the forward portion of the heel .20 so that its under surface, which engages the superimposed layer is inclined laterally and downwardly and lies at a fixed distance from the .path of movement, thereby presenting an abutment against which the upper surfaceof the superimposed layer is forced as the needle penetrates the same.

In order to give clearance for the edge of the superimposed layer to pass beneath the presser foot the heel portion adjacent to the flange is cut away to form the groove 38 having a downwardly beveled surface, 40. The upper face of the heel portion preferably is beveled upwardly as at 41 (see 3) to form a support and guide for the end of the needle upon its emergence from the fabric. The relation of the surface guide 37 to slot 38 and the upwardly beveled surface 41 desirably .is such that the needle may pass adjacent to the shoulder 42 formed by the junction of the upwardly bent flange and inclined surface 40.

The presser foot is so constructed that the throat between the needle guide 25 and the heel '20 when in position in the machine is well rearward of the vertical plane of the axis of oscillation of the needle as above stated, so that the needle penetrates the goods after'its point has started to move in an upward direction. The surface guide 37 which is positioned opposite the throat opening, provides an abutment against which the superimposed layer is pressed,

thereby fixing with accuracy the point of emergence of the needle from the superimposed layer in the manner aforesaid.

As illustrated herein, the presser foot is provided with slots 43, 4st through which the dogs of the upper feed may project to engage the goods on either side of the line of stitching and thereby to assist in feedin the same-evenly through the machine.

Tf the machine is to be adapted for very thin material it may be desirable to proneedle penetrated the base layer.

vide the work support with offset surfaces complementary to the offset surfaces of the under face of the presser foot as shown in anism, the superposed layer being separated from the base layer by the lip 31 of the needle guide so that it inclines slightly to the plane of the upper surface of the base layer, the edge of the superposed layer being directed both forward and aft of the stitching points by the edge guide 30 and the oflset edge 36.

The oscillating needle first penetrates the portion of the base layer which is bent up by the bender at a point (a), a short distance beyond the vertical plane of the axis of oscillation of the needle and emerges at the point (1)) which may be located at such distance as may be desired, by suitable adjustment of the bender. Upon thewithdrawal of the needle from the base layer the fabric is fed forward one step and in the meantime the needle is shogged over into position to engage the superimposed layer, as illustrated in Fig. 8. Upon the forward movement the needle penetrates the superposed layer at a point (0-) substantially opposite the point (b) which is considerably in advance of the point (a) at which the v The needle emerges from the superposed layer at a point ((2) desirably at a distance from the point (0) equal to the distance between the points (a) and By reason of the advancement of the fabric during the successive strokes of the needle the points a and 0 will lie in a line substantially normal to the edge of the superposed layer and the points Z) and (Z will likewise lie in a line substantially normal to said edge, so that, when the stitch is set by the tension upon the needle thread, the portion which unites or conca-tenates the loops of the needle thread in the base and the superimposed layers will lie substantially at right angles to the edge thatvarious modifications may be made within the meaning of the scope of the claimsherein.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, is:

L111 a blind stitch sewing machinefor.

felling a superimposed layer upon a base layer comprising a work supporting member, a curved needle, means for osclllatmg the same in a plane inclined to the vertical plane of the line of feed, and complementary stitch-forming mechanism located above said Work supporting member, means for guiding the superimposed layer in the direction of th line of feed and across the plane of oscillation of the needle and guiding means overlying the path of the needle for maintaining a fixed relation between the upper surface of the superimposed layer and the path of the needle.

In a blind stitch sewing machine for fellirg a superimposed layer upon a base layer comprising a Work supporting memher, a curved needle, means for oscillating the same in a plane inclined to the vertical plane of the line of feed, and complementary stitch-forming mechanism located above said 'WOlk supporting member, means for guiding the superimposed layer in the direction of the line of feed and across the plane of oscillation of the needle, and means overlying the path of the needle for main taining the points of emergence of the needle from the superimposed layer at a fixed distance from the upper surface and from the edge ,of said layer.

3. In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling a superimposed layer of material upon a base layer, comprising a Work supporting member, a curved n edle, means for oscillating the same in a plane inclined to the vertical plane of the line of feed, and c1 mpleinentary stitch-forming mechanism located above the Work supporting member, means for guiding the superimposed layer in the direction of the line of feed and across the plane of oscillation of the needle, and means for maintaining a fixed relation between the upper surface of the superimposed layer and the path of the needle including a rigid guiding member adapted to engage the upper surface of the superii'nposed layer near the edge thereof and above the points of penetration and emergence of the needle in the superimposed layer.

4. In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling a superimposed layer of material upon a base layer, a presser foot having a heel portion, a toe portion, an intermediate throat opening and an inclined guide for the upper surface of the superimposed layer adjacent the said throat opening and having its under surface inclined downwardly and laterally in respect to the line of feed and adapted to maintain a fixed relation between the upper surface of the superimposed layer and the path of the needle, ivhereby the points of emergence of the needle from the superimposed layer will lie at uniform distances from the upper surface of said layer.

In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling a superimposed layer of material upon a base layer, comprising a Work support, a curved oscillating needle, and complementary stitch forming mechanism lcated above said Work support, means for oscillating said needle in a plane substantially parallel to the line of feed but disposed at an angle to the vertical plane thereof, means for guiding the superimposed layer in a plane slightly inclined to the plane of the Work support and intersecting the plane of oscillation of the needle Well beyond the vertical plane of the axis of oscillation, whereby the needle will be caused to penetrate the lower surface of the superimposed layer at a point Well back from the edge thereof and will emerge therefrom at apoint nearer said edge.

(3. In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling a superimposed layer of material upon the base layer, comprising a Work support, a curved oscillating needle, and complementary stitch-forming mechanism located above said Work support, means for oscillating said needle in a plane substantially parallel to the line of feed but disposed at an angle to the vertical plane thereof, means for guiding the edge of the superimposed laycr in a plane slightly inclined to the plane of the work support and intersecting the plane of oscillation of the needle well beyond the vertical plane of the axis of oscillation and means for guiding the upper surface of the superimposed layer adjacent to the edge thereof in fixed relation to the plane of oscillation of the needle whereby the needle will be caused to penetrate the lower surface of the superimposed layer at a point Well back from the edge thereof and will emerge therefrom in successive stitches at points uniformly distanced from the upper surface and from the the edge of said superimposed layer.

7. In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling superimposed layer of material upon a base layer comprising a Work sup porting member, a curved needle, means for oscillating the same in planes inclined to the vertical plane of the line of feed, and complementary stitch forming mechanism cated above the Work support, feeding mechanism for the goods, fabric presenting means adapted to cause the needle to penetrate the main and the superimposed layers at points located at different distances from the vertical plane of the aXis of oscillation of the needle whereby the feeding of the goods will cause the points of penetration and of emergence of the needle in the respective layers to be substantially opposite, and the means concatenating the loops of needle thread will be in a line substantially normal to the edge of the superimposed layer.

8. In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling a superimposed layer of material. upon a base layer comprising a curved needle and means for oscillating the same in a plane inclined tothe vertical plane of the line of stitching, complementary stitch forming mechanism, means for shogging the needle laterally and means for feeding the goods. means for presenting respectively the base layer and the superimposed layer to said needle to cause the needle to penetrate the layer at points unequally distant from the vertical plane of the axis of oscillation of the needle whereby the advancement of the goods by the feeding mechanism betweeen successive stitches will cause the laying of two rows of parallel loops, the ends of which will be substantially opposite and the means for concatenating said loops will lie substantially at right angles to the edge of the superimposed layer.

9. In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling, a presser foot, having a heel portion adapted to engage the main layer of material and an offset portion adapted to engage the upper surface ,of the superimposed layer and to form a guide for the edge there of, a throat opening intermediate of said ,toe portion and heel portion, means for guiding the edge of the superimposed layer to said throat opening comprising a rearward extension of the toe portion provided with means for separating the superimposed layer from the base layer and a needleguiding surface inclined substantially to the plane of the offset under surface of the heel portion which engages the superimposed layer.

10. In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling, apresser foot having a heel portion offset to engage the upper surface of the superimposed layer and to guide the edge thereof, a toe portion having a throat opening intermediate said heel portion and toe portion, means for guiding the edge of the superimposed layer to the throat opening comprising a rearward extension of the toe portion provided with a lip adapted to separate the superimposed layer from the base layer and a needle-guiding surface adjacent to said lip and inclined substantially to the plane of the under surface of the offset heel portion which engages the superimposed layer.

11. In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling comprising acurved oscillating needle and complemental stitch forming mechanism, a presser foot having a heel portion, a

toe portion and an intermediate throat open-- ing, said toe portion having a rearward extension provided with a needle guiding surface extending substantially to the lowest point in the arc of oscillation of the needle whereby the needle will be caused to penetrate the work after its point begins to rise and deflection of the needle by its engagement with the material will be prevented.

12. In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling, comprising a curved oscillating needle and complemental stitch forming mechanism, a presser foot having a heel portion adapted to engage the main layer, an offset portion to engage the superimposed layer having a lip adapted to separate the superimposed layer from the base layer provided with a needle-guiding surface extending sub stantially to the lowest point of the arc of oscillation of the needle, and an inclined surface upon the heel portion adapted to receive and to guide the needle upon its emergence from the fabric. a

13. In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling, comprising a curved oscillating needle and complemental stitch forming mechanism, a presser foot having a heel portion, adapted to engage the main layer an offset portion to engagethe superimposed layer, a toe portion and an intermediate throat opening, means for guiding the edge of the superimposed layer to the throat opening comprising a rearward extension of the toe portion having a lip adapted to separate the superimposed layer from the base layer, a needle-guiding surface extending substantially to the lowest point in the arc of oscillation of the needle, and an inclined surface upon the heel portion adapted to receive and to guide the needle upon its emergence from the fabric and means on said heel portion adjacent to said throat opening adapted to engage the upper surface of the superimposed layer and to limit the upward movement of the edge thereof resulting from the penetration of the needle into the under surface of said layer.

14. In a blind stitch sewing machine for felling, comprising a curved oscillating needle and complemental stitch forming mechanism, a presser foot having a heel portion, adapted to engage the main layer, an offset portion to engage the superimposed layer, a toe portion and an intermediate throat opening, means for guiding the edge of the superimposed layer to the throat opening comprising a rearward extension of the toe portion having a lip adapted to separate the superimposed layer from the base layer, a needle-guiding surface adjacent to said lip and extending substantially to the lowest point in the arc of oscillation of the needle, and an inclined surface upon the heel portion adapted to receive and to guide the needle upon its emergence from the fabric, and an inclined flange integral with said heel portion lying adjacent to said throat opening, adapted to guide the upper surface of the superimposed layer and to limit the upper movement thereof resulting from the penetration of the needle into the undersurface of said layer.

15. In ablind stitch sewing machine for telling a superimposed layer of material upon a base layer comprising a work supporting member a curved oscillating needle and complemental stitch forming mechanism, a presser toot having a guide provided with an under surface laterally and downwardly inclinedL in respect to the line of feed and positioned to engage the upper surface of the superimposed layer and to maintain the same in a fixed relation to the path of the needle.

16. In a blind stitch sewing machine for telling a. superimposed layer upon a base layer of material comprising a Work supporting member, a curved oscillating needle and coniplemental stitch forming mechanism located above said WOlk supporting member a presser foot comprising a heel portion and ma or and minor toe portions, the major toe portion being provided with a threat opening and the minor toe portion with an lYiillliP-Tl flange adjacent said throat opening, the under surface of the flange being laterally and downwardly inclined in re spect to the line of feed and positioned to engage the upper surface of the SUPQl'lHlposed layer and to maintain the same in a fixed relation to the path of the needle.

17. In a blind stitch sewing machine for telling a superimposed layer upon a base layer of material comprising a Work supporting member, a curved oscillating needle and eomplemental stitch forming mechanism located above said Work and major and minor toe portions, the major toe portion being provided with a throat opening and the minor toe portion With an inclined flange adjacent said throat opening, the under surface of the flange being laterally and downwardly inclined in respect to the line of teed and positioned to engage the upper surface of the superimposed layer and to maintain the same in a fixed relation to the path of the needle and a guiding slot at the rear of said throat opening adapted to direct the edge of the superimposed layer.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

THOMAS J. HAYES.

Witnesses Amen G. NIXON,

THOMAS J. DRUMMOND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 1). 0. 

